Top 10 Most Prescribed Drugs In America:

In recognition of National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month, the topic of prescription drug abuse is extremely relevant. Prescription drug abuse is when someone takes a medication that was prescribed for someone else or takes their own prescription in a way not intended by a doctor or for a different reason—like to get high.

Parents need to be aware that all prescription drugs in their medicine cabinet can be abused. Despite the fact that many of these medications below do not appear to be abused by teens, they may try anyway and become sick or even overdose.

Top 10 Most Prescribed Drugs In America:

#1 Synthroid 22.6 Million Prescriptions Are Filled Every Month in America – Synthroid is used to treat an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). It replaces or provides more thyroid hormone, which is normally produced by the thyroid gland.

#2 Crestor 22.5 Million Prescriptions Are Filled Every Month in America – Crestor is used along with a proper diet to help lower “bad” cholesterol and fats (LDL), triglycerides and raise “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.

#3 Nexium 18.6 Million Prescriptions Are Filled Every Month in America – Nexium is used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems (such as acid reflux, ulcers). It works by decreasing the amount of acid you stomach makes and relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing and persistent cough.

#4 Ventolin HFA 17.5 Million Prescriptions Are Filled Every Month in America – Ventolin HFA (albuterol) is used to prevent and treat wheezing and shortness of breath caused by breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

#5 Advair Diskas 15.0 Million Prescriptions Are Filled Every Month in America – Advair Diskas is used to control and prevent symptoms (wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by asthma or ongoing lung disease.

#6 Diovan – 11.4 Million Prescriptions Are Filled Every Month in America – Diovan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure. It is also used to improve the chance of living longer after a heart attack.

#7 Lantus Solostar – 10.1 Million Prescriptions Are Filled Every Month in America – Lantus Solostar is used along with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar and used in people with type 1 (insulin-dependent) or type 2 diabetes.

#8 Cymbalta – 10.0 Million Prescriptions Are Filled Every Month in America – Cymbalta is used to treat depression and anxiety.

#9 Vyvanse 10.0 – Million Prescriptions Are Filled Every Month in America – Vyvanse is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as part of a total treatment plan, including psychological, social, and other treatments.

#10 Lyrica 9.6 – Million Prescriptions are filled every month in America – Lyrica is used to treat pain caused by nerve damage due to diabetes or to shingles (herpes zoster) infection and is also used to treat pain in people with fibromyalgia.